Johann Walter Biography

Encyclopedia of World Biography on Johann Walter

As musical adviser to Luther, the German composer Johann Walter (1496-1570) helped construct a new liturgy and composed tunes for many Lutheran hymns. He also pioneered the "dramatic" musical setting of the Passion in German.

Born in Kahla (Thuringia), Johann Walter spent his formative years in the chapel of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony. From 1520 until Frederick's death five years later, Walter not only directed the electoral chapel but also began his career as musical spokesman of the Lutherans. Martin Luther wrote a preface to a collection of 43 polyphonic works by Walter, the Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn (1524). Planned for young people in Lutheran schools, the collection went through many editions, the last one of which (1551) contained 47 Latin and 74 German pieces. In 1525 Luther consulted Walter about a projected sacred service in German, a service that was published as the Deutsche Messe (1526).